After visiting the Forest City development project in Johor Baru, Dr Mahathir Mohamad took to his blog to commend its “extraordinarily beautiful” landscape.
On the same note, he recalled having spotted signs on lampposts which read "Hartanah Hak Milik Kekal" (freehold properties).
Mahathir said this appeared to contradict Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's claim that the land was sold to a China-owned company on a 99-year leasehold.
"Maybe Najib doesn't know. Maybe Najib did not read the signs," he added on a sarcastic note.
He said while Najib promised that Malaysians would be able to reclaim the land after 99 years, the signs, however, painted a different picture.
In responding to Mahathir's criticism of the project, Najib had, in January, said concerns over Malaysia's sovereignty do not arise as the land was sold on a 99-year leasehold basis.
Meanwhile, Mahathir said Najib should consider cancelling the freehold policy as it appeared to contradict the current practice of new land being sold on leasehold basis.
"Many Malaysians have failed to convert their small plots into freehold status. But it looks like foreigners can get it," he added.
Mahathir also reiterated his concerns on the ownership of the project, which was almost exclusively marketed to buyers from China.
To attract the buyers, he said, visitors to Forest City would be treated to a free lunch and accorded special treatment, including use of a large swimming pool and access to a beach decorated with seal statues.
Even with a 99-year leasehold, Mahathir claimed, it would be more than enough time for them to apply for Malaysian citizenship.
He said this was on top of benefits, such as Forest City being declared as a tax free zone.
"Langkawi's tax free zone has been withdrawn as it caused losses for the government.
"But the future residents of Forest City, who are mostly foreigners, will enjoy a tax free status on all imported goods, including from their own country," he added.
Relying on a Bloomberg report that 700,000 residential units would be built on the 1,400ha reclaimed land, Mahathir maintained that these houses were mostly targeted at buyers from China.
He has, since earlier this year, repeatedly spoken out against the Forest City development project, claiming that it would lead to foreign ownership of Malaysian land and an influx of property buyers from mainland China.- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.